Join us for our Touch A Truck Event June 14th

Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce
Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce
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      • Arts & Entertainment
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      • Banquets Events Catering
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  • Home
  • Become a Member
  • Events
    • Community Events
    • Business Expo
    • Tip Up Town USA
    • Taste of Houghton Lake
  • Directory
    • Business Directory
    • Advertising & Media
    • Agriculture, Fishing, For
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Auto, Aviation, Marine
    • Banquets Events Catering
    • Business & Professional
    • Communications
    • COMPUTERS, IT & TECHNOLOG
    • Construction
    • Employment & Staffing
    • Finance & Insurance
    • Government & Education
    • Healthcare
    • Home & Garden
    • Industrial Manufacturing
    • Non Profit
    • Other
    • Personal Services
    • Pets & veterinary
    • Public Utilities & Enviro
    • Real Estate
    • Religious Organizations
    • Restaurants Food & Drinks
    • Shopping
    • Sports
    • Transportation
    • Travel, Lodging & Tourism
  • Area Information
    • Area Information
    • Area Fishing & Boating




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Download 2025 Event Schedule

2025 Tip Up Town Badges

On Sale Now

Stop in the Chamber office to purchase yours or purchase on at the following locations: 

  • Angelo's Party Store
  • Back Door Saloon
  • Beachfront Hotel
  • Four Seasons Party Store
  • Houghton Lake Provisioning Center
  • Kilcare
  • Laura's Needful Items
  • Lake House Meats & Deli
  • Lyman's on the Lake
  • North Shore Lounge
  • Nottingham Bar
  • R&j's Best Choice Marketplace
  • Spicer's Boat City
  • Sunrise Marathon
  • Bucilli's Pizza
  • Copper Kettle Distilling
  • Family Fare
  • Korbinski's Marine
  • Kronner's Pharmacy
  • MJ's Eatery
  • Powell's Eatery
  • Springbrook Inn
  • Walmart
  • Wild's True Value


Official Event Merchandise

Shop Now

Frosty Fingers 5k Fun Run

Discover Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce!

 When: January 18, 2025 10:30am  

Where: Houghton Lake Tip-Up Town Site

Route: From Tip-Up Town site, West 0n M-55 ahead of Tip-Up Town Parade to Maple Street and back to M-55 to the starting point.

Early   registration fee is $30 and includes a commemorative t-shirt,   registration after January 14th will be $30 and no t-shirt. 


Registration will be open the day of the race until 9:30am. Registration is held at APEX Insurance ( 4772 W Houghton Lake Dr in Houghton Lake, Michigan 48629 ). Day of registration will include not include a tshirt, all participants that finish will receive a medal, we will also award for 1st place Men and Women.

2025 Polar Bear Dip - Preregister to get a sweatshirt!

98.5 WUPS Delivers the hits Hosted the annual polar bear dip artwork contest. This winning shirt design is shown here.  This year if you want to guarantee that you get a polar bear dip sweatshirt you MUST PREREGISTER. There will be on site registration on Saturday Jan 25th beginning at noon. Participants who register onsite will receive a polar bear dip medallion.  

Awards  willl  be given in the following categories

:Best Overall Dip
    *  Best Belly flop
    *  Best Cannonball
    *  Best Dressed
    *  Most Creative Dip
    *  Oldest Dipper
    *  Farthest Traveled Dipper
    *  Most Frequent Dipper 


Pre-Register HERE

Deadline to register & receive a sweatshirt is Monday Jan 20th, 2025 at 4pm.  Sweatshirts will NOT be given to participants that register on-site the day of the event 


Shown is the 2025 Polar Bear Dip  Artwork Contest Winning design. Congratulations to  the winning artist Kathy Archambault!





2025 Tip Up Town Medallion Hunt Rules

Download PDF

2025 Tip-up town parade information

Get Ready for the 2025 Tip Up Town USA Grand Parade

 

The 2025 Tip Up Town USA Parade is set to sparkle and shine! Join us for a dazzling display of creativity, community spirit, and winter wonder on January 18th at 11 AM.


A New Parade Route

This year, the parade will follow a new route to enhance the experience for both participants and spectators. The parade will start on Federal Avenue, turn onto M-55, and continue east to Townline Road.


Parade Lineup and Pre-Parade Festivities

Parade lineup will begin at Artesia Youth Park. While you wait, enjoy complimentary donuts and cocoa provided by the Anchor Inn. It's the perfect way to warm up before the parade starts!


Theme: Diamond Jubilee

Get ready to dazzle and delight! This year's theme is "Diamond Jubilee: Sparkle and Shine." Let your creativity soar as you decorate your floats, vehicles, and costumes with glittering gems, precious metals, and royal elegance.


Join the Fun!

Whether you're a seasoned parade participant or a first-time entrant, we encourage you to join us for this unforgettable event. Let's make the 2025 Tip Up Town USA Parade the most sparkling and shining one yet! For more information on parade registration and guidelines, please contact the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce. 



Introducing the 2025 Tip Up Town USA Queen Candidates

Get ready to meet the inspiring young women vying for the coveted title of Tip Up Town USA Festival Queen! These exceptional candidates will be interviewed by a panel of esteemed judges on January 4th, 2025, during the Tip Up Town Kick Off Event at The Northern Center in Houghton Lake.

The winner will not only reign over the Tip Up Town USA Festival but will also receive a generous sponsorship from Kabinetree Koncepts. This includes:


  • $500 travel budget: To represent Houghton Lake at festivals across the state.
  • $1000 donation: To the non-profit organization chosen by the Queen as her platform.


This years candidates are  Jenny VanDuinen, Ashley Neville, and  Alexandra Evans .


Join us at the Tip Up Town Kick Off Event to witness the live selection of the 2025 Festival Queen! It's a fantastic opportunity to meet the candidates, learn more about their platforms, and celebrate the start of another exciting Tip Up Town USA Festival season. Before passing the crown 2024 Queen, Heather Emerick, will share memories of her her year traveling the state representing Houghton Lake and our Festival. 


Nominations for the 2025 Tip Up Town Queen is now closed. If you are interested in participating in the future , please find the Queen Guidelines below...

Queen Guidelines & Application

Download PDF

Photos with 2024 TUT Royalty

    Celebrate Kids Day at Tip-Up Town USA

     Every winter, the picturesque Houghton Lake in Michigan comes alive with the magical and enchanting Tip-Up Town USA festival. It's a time when families and friends gather to celebrate the joys of the season. Amid the snow, ice, and the community's warm spirit, there's a special day dedicated entirely to the youngest members of our community – Kids Day. This year, on Sunday, January 19th, 2025, Kids Day promises to be even more remarkable as the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce works diligently to ensure that every child in our county has the opportunity to create cherished memories at Tip-Up Town USA.


    Inclusivity and Opportunity for All

    One of the core principles guiding Tip-Up Town USA is the belief that every child should have the chance to experience the joy and wonder of the festival, regardless of their economic status. That's why, each year, the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce takes steps to make Kids Day accessible to all children in our community.


    To accomplish this, hundreds of special badges are distributed to local schools, including Charlton Heston Academy, Our Lady of the Lakes, Houghton Lake, Skeels and Roscommon Community schools. These badges are exclusively for children in grades 6 and under. The best part? These badges grant kids FREE access to the festival's carnival, games, and activities on Kids Day, which falls on Sunday, January 19th, 2025.


    Securing Your Child's Badge

    If your child is in grade 6 or under at one of the aforementioned schools they will be given a badge in January. If for some reason your qualified child doesn't receive a badge, simply contact the office at your child's school to inquire about the availability of badges. Even if your child is home schooled in Roscommon County and is in grade 6 or under, they can still participate in Kids Day. To get their badge, all you need to do is visit the Houghton Lake Chamber office. 


    The Magic of Kids Day

    Kids Day at Tip-Up Town USA is an extraordinary experience for children and families alike. From exciting carnival rides to delicious treats, interactive games, and the joy of playing in the snow, there's something for every child to enjoy. The festive atmosphere and the spirit of togetherness make Kids Day a cherished tradition in our community. Tip-Up Town USA's Kids Day on Sunday, January 19, 2025, is a celebration of the spirit of our community,  It's a day when the smiles, laughter, and pure joy of our youngest community members shine brightly, reminding us all of the magic that lies within this wonderful festival.


    Let's come together as a community and make Kids Day 2025 at Tip-Up Town USA a day to remember for all the right reasons, a day of inclusivity and delight for every child.

    2025 "tip-pup" Town Dog Show

    Get ready for a paw-some event at Tip Up Town USA! The annual Tip-"Pup" Town Dog Show is back and better than ever! Hosted by  The Pet Parlor, this year's show will take place on January 25th at 2 PM.


    Pre-registration will be held at the Pet Parlor and at the Event Site. Don't miss your chance to sign up your furry friend for a fun-filled day of competition and prizes.

    Categories for this year's show include:

    • Smallest Dog
    • Largest Dog
    • Oldest Dog
    • Youngest Dog
    • Diamond Jubilee Costume Contest


    New this year: The Dog Pie Eating Contest! Sponsored by TJ Loopies Sips & Sweets, this exciting event features special dog-safe crusts topped with whipped cream.

    So mark your calendars and bring your furry friends to Tip Up Town USA for a day of tail-wagging fun!

    2025 Polar bear dip Information

    The Polar Bear Dip is a thrilling and popular tradition at the Tip Up Town USA winter festival in Houghton Lake, Michigan. This years event will be held Jan 25th at 1pm. Pre registration is available this year but is not required.  If you want a sweat shirt you MUST pre register. Online registration ends January 20th.  


    There  will be on site registration on Saturday Jan 25th beginning at noon.  Participants who register onsite will receive a polar bear dip  medallion.  


    Date: Jan 25th 1pm

    CLICK HERE FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION

     *  $25 Entry Fee per person *  

    Awards will be given out in the following categories:       

    •  Best Overall Dip 
    • Best Belly flop
    • Best Cannonball 
    • Best Dressed 
    • Most Creative Dip 
    •  Oldest Dipper 
    • Farthest Traveled Dipper
    • Most Frequent Dipper 


    OTHER RULES : 

    • All participants must sign a waiver.   The waiver must be completed in full,  legible,  signed. 
    •  First 4 participants who purchased their dip at the kick-off auction on Jan. 4th do not have to wait in line. 
    • Must have a festival badge
    • Must be 18 years old or 16 with a parent or guardian present.   Participants under the age of 16 will not be allowed to participate.   
    • Please notify at registration if you are a Foreign Exchange Student.   
    • Participants must understand live filming,  social media,  photographers and media personnel, etc. that may be part of a national  or international audience will be present.
    •  No alcoholic beverages or consumption of alcohol.   If it is suspect  you have consumed alcohol,  you may be denied participation.  
    • Participants will not be under the influence of any drugs or substance that impairs their faculties.
    •  Must wear shoes while on the ice 
    • Dressing tents will be available

    2025 tip up town fishing contest rules & regulations

    Download PDF

    Tip up town Videos

    Check out these great videos to give you a taste of the Tip Up Town USA experience. 

    Did you know our event has it own theme song? Check it out...

    • About Us
    • Tip Up Town USA
    • TUT GUIDE 24

    Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce

    1625 W. Houghton Lake Dr. Houghton Lake, MI 48629

    Phone: (989)366-5644

    Copyright © 2025 Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce - All Rights Reserved.

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